Dahlia plant named ‘Peach Flamingo’

ABSTRACT

A new cultivar of  Dahlia  plant named ‘Peach Flamingo’ that is distinguishable by its naturally branched plant habit with multiple basal branches and lateral branches, markedly dentate compound leaves, and large peach-colored cactus type flowers, is disclosed.

Genus and species: Dahlia variabilis.

Variety denomination: ‘Peach Flamingo’.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of dahlia grown for use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape. The new variety is known botanically as Dahlia variabilis and will be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Peach Flamingo’.

The genus Dahlia is in the family Compositae . The flower of ‘Peach Flamingo’ is classified as a Cactus-type inflorescence whose ray flowers (appearing as petals) are rolled for approximately half of their length and are flat at the base. The ray flowers are arranged in whorls surrounding a central cluster of disc florets.

The inventor's Dahlia breeding program was commenced in 2007 in Commentry in central France. The objective of the breeding program is to combine certain desirable commercial characteristics including large cactus-type flowers with many petals, decorative foliage, novel colors and color combinations and a naturally dwarf and branching habit which eliminates the necessity to apply chemical growth regulators or repeated manual pinching.

The inventor's breeding stock consists of an isolated plot of dahlia varieties (named and unnamed) which have been selected or raised by the inventor from previous generations. The inventor allows open pollination of the breeding stock, but positions possible parents in particular proximities in order to increase the opportunity for desirable crosses. The potential parent varieties are planted in May of each year and seed is harvested and stored in October and November of the same year. Seeds are sown in March of the following year, planted into the open ground in June and evaluated and, if very promising, set aside in August. Those selections which the inventor considers worthy of introduction are multiplied in the fall of the year of selection in the inventor's tissue culture laboratory. Typically, from sowing 2,500 harvested seeds, approximately 5 seedlings will be put forward for commercial performance trials and potential introduction.

‘Peach Flamingo’ arose from the breeding program described above and was selected by the inventor in August 2012. The inventor selected ‘Peach Flamingo’ for its large peach-colored cactus-type flowers which are borne on sturdy and naturally branching plants.

The parents of ‘Peach Flamingo’ are unknown seedlings or varieties of cactus-type dahlias.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘Peach Flamingo’ was conducted in fall 2012 using micro cuttings in the inventor's laboratory in Commentry, France. Subsequent asexual propagation was carried out by stem cuttings at the inventor's nursery starting in April 2013. Since that time under careful observation, the distinguishing characteristics have been determined stable, uniform, and to be reproduced true to type in subsequent generations of asexual propagation.

SUMMARY

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent the distinguishing characteristics of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘Peach Flamingo’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘Peach Flamingo’ from all other existing varieties of Dahlia known to the inventor. ‘Peach Flamingo’ has not been tested under all possible conditions and phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental, climatic, and cultural conditions, however, without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. ‘Peach Flamingo’ exhibits naturally branched plant habit with         multiple basal branches and lateral branches.     -   2. ‘Peach Flamingo’ bears markedly dentate compound leaves.     -   3. ‘Peach Flamingo’ bears large cactus-type flowers which are         peach in color.     -   4. ‘Peach Flamingo’ is grown for use in mixed combinations, beds         and the landscape.     -   5. ‘Peach Flamingo’ blooms from summer until fall.     -   6. ‘Peach Flamingo’ grows to 40 cm to 50 cm in height and 40 cm         to 50 cm in width after one growing season.     -   7. ‘Peach Flamingo’ is hardy to USDA Zone 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying color photographs labeled FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate the overall appearance of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘Peach Flamingo’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describes the actual colors of the new Dahlia variety named ‘Peach Flamingo’. The photographs were made from digital photographs of plants grown outdoors in Commentry, France.

FIG. 1 depicts the entire plant in bloom showing the overall appearance of ‘Peach Flamingo’ with typical bloom, foliage and habit grown in an outdoor nursery.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of a flower of ‘Peach Flamingo’

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Dahlia cultivar named ‘Peach Flamingo’. Observations, measurements, values and comparisons were collected during April and May 2015 in Santa Barbara, Calif. from 2-liter container plants. Color determinations were made in accordance with The 2007 Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart from London England, except where general color terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. Growing requirements are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification:     -   -   Family.—Compositae.         -   Genus and species.—Dahlia variabilis.         -   Denomination.—‘Peach Flamingo’.         -   Common name.—Dahlia. -   Parentage: ‘Peach Flamingo’ is a seedling selection made from plants     grown from seed which resulted from the open-pollination of unknown     and unnamed parent seedlings retained from previous generations in     the breeding program. -   Plant:     -   -   Propagation method.—Tissue culture, cuttings, tubers.         -   Rooting system.—Fine and fibrous.         -   Tuber shape.—Fusiform.         -   Tuber size.—10 cm average.         -   Tuber color.—165D.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Habit.—Upright habit.         -   Use.—For use in mixed combinations, beds and the landscape.         -   Type.—Perennial in climate zones 9 and above; annual             elsewhere.         -   Dimensions.—40 cm to 50 cm in height and 40 cm to 50 cm in             width.         -   Cultural requirements.—Grow in full sun with regular water,             and well-draining potting soil.         -   Pest susceptibility.—Susceptible to aphids.         -   Disease susceptibility.—Susceptible to mildew in highly             humid conditions.         -   Hardiness.—USDA Zone 9. -   Stem and basal branches:     -   -   Basal branching habit.—Naturally occurring (unpinched) basal             branches with lateral branches.         -   Basal branches.—Number: 3 to 5. Dimensions: 45 cm in length             and 0.4 cm in width. Shape: Cylindrical. Surface: Glabrous.             Internode length (average): 7 cm.         -   Lateral branches.—Dimensions: 45 cm in length and 0.4 cm in             width. Shape: Cylindrical. Surface: Glabrous.         -   Internode length (average).—7 cm. -   Foliage:     -   -   Type.—Compound.         -   Division.—Bi-pinnately compound consisting of two pairs of             tri-lobed lateral leaflets and one tri-lobed terminal             leaflet.         -   Compound leaf dimensions.—24 cm to 30 cm in length and 24 cm             to 28 cm in width.         -   Leaf wing.—Not present (or not observed).         -   Leaflet dimensions.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral             leaflets: Length 13 cm, width 6 cm. Second pair of lateral             leaflets: Length 10 cm, width 5.5 cm. Terminal leaflet:             Length 10 cm to 11 cm, width 7 cm to 8 cm.         -   Leaflet attachment.—First pair (nearest stem) of lateral             leaflets: Petiolule. Second pair of lateral leaflets:             Sessile to rachis. Terminal leaflet: Petiolate to rachis.         -   Leaflet shape, base, apex, margin, color, venation, surface             are all identical for lateral leaflets and terminal leaflets             as follows.—Base: Attenuate. Apex: Apiculate. Margin:             Coarsely and irregularly dentate with tiny short fine             silver-gray hairs, approximately 0.25 mm in length; teeth             length 0.5 cm to 1.5 cm, width 0.4 cm to 0.8 cm;             approximately 6 teeth per margin (12 teeth per leaflet).             Color (adaxial surface): 137B. Color (abaxial surface):             138C. Venation pattern: Pinnate. Vein color (adaxial             surfaces): 138B. Vein color (abaxial surface): 137C. Leaf             surfaces (both surfaces): Glabrous. Leaf attachment:             Petiolate. Petiole shape: Sulcate. Petiole dimensions: 6 cm             in length and 6mm in width at stem. Petiole color: Adaxial             surface is 152A, abaxial surface is 138C. Petiole surfaces:             Glabrous.         -   Compound leaf rachis (from first pair of leaflets to base of             terminal leaflet).—Shape: Sulcate with central midrib.             Dimensions: 9 cm in length, 4mm in width at first pair of             leaflets. Color: Adaxial surface is 152A, abaxial surface is             138C. Surfaces: Glabrous.         -   First pair of leaflet petiolules.—Shape: Sulcate.             Dimensions: 0.5 cm to 1 cm in length, 3 mm in width. Color:             Adaxial surface is 152A, abaxial surface is 138C. Surfaces:             Glabrous. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Inflorescence type and shape.—Cactus-type globose             inflorescence whose ray flowers (appearing as petals) are             rolled for approximately half of their length and are flat             at the base; inflorescence is borne above the foliage on             near-vertical stems.         -   Arrangement.—The ray flowers are arranged in whorls             surrounding a central cluster of disc florets.         -   Aspect.—Facing upward and outward.         -   Inflorescence quantity.—15 to 20 buds and flowers per             2-liter container plant.         -   Dimensions of inflorescence.—10 cm to 15 cm in diameter and             10 cm to 12 cm in height.         -   Blooming season.—Summer and fall.         -   Lastingness of inflorescence.—4 to 5 days.         -   Self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.         -   Fragrance of inflorescence.—None observed.         -   Peduncle.—Dimensions (average): 12 cm in length and 0.40 cm             in diameter. Shape: Cylindrical. Surface: Glabrous.             Strength: Extremely stiff. Color: Ranges between N144A and             151A.         -   Bud.—Shape: Oblate. Dimensions (average): 1.3 cm in height             and 1.3 cm in diameter. Surface: Glabrous. Appearance:             Semi-glossy. Color: 143B at base becoming N144A with streaks             of 42C towards and at apex. Apex: Obtuse. Base: Truncate.         -   Ray florets.—Quantity per inflorescence: 100 to 120.             Arrangement: Whorls of 3 to 4 rings. Form: Rolled downwards             for approximately half of length; flat at the base;             approximately 4 to 6 ray florets appear as sickle-shaped             petaloids emerging from perimeter of receptacle. Dimensions             (average, including corolla tube): 7 cm in length and 0.8 cm             in width. Shape: Lanceolate, rolled (recurved) from apex to             approximately midway along length; flat at base. Surface             (adaxial and abaxial): Glabrous. Apex: Acute, occasionally             notched; depth of notch up to 3 mm. Base: Attenuate. Margin:             Entire. Color: A fully open inflorescence with all ray             florets fully expanded appears uniformly pale to mid peach             in color; when still opening the inner ray florets are             orange-red in color giving the appearance of a darker eye to             the entire inflorescence. Color (ray florets fully expanded,             both surfaces): Ranges between 37C and 37A. Color (inner ray             florets opening, still clustered, both surfaces): 33B.             Corolla tube, dimensions: 3 mm in length, 1.5 mm in             diameter. Corolla tube color: 151D. Ray floret venation:             Very faint longitudinal parallel veins, color close to ray             floret 37C to 37A.         -   Disc florets.—Disc diameter: 1.5 to 2.0 cm. Quantity of disc             florets: Approximately 36 disc florets per inflorescence.             Disc floret dimensions: 1.75 cm in length and 0.10 cm in             width. Disc floret color: 187A. Petals: 8 in number. Petals             fused or unfused: Fused. Petal apex: Acute. Petal surface             (ventral and dorsal surfaces): Glabrous. Receptacle             dimensions: 1 cm in depth and 1.60 cm in diameter.             Receptacle surface: Glabrous. Receptacle color: 187A.         -   Phyllaries.—Arrangement: Whorl, consisting of three             concentric rings or layers. Number: Approximately 72 in             total; depending on the angle of viewing the inflorescence,             some of the phyllaries are behind and under the             inflorescence. Shape: Lanceolate. Dimensions: Ranging from             22 mm in length and 9 mm in width (outer ring) to 15 mm in             length and 5 mm in width (inner ring). Thickness (middle of             base, elsewhere tapers to less than 0.5mm at margin):             Ranging from 1.5 mm (outermost phyllaries) to 1.0 mm             (innermost phyllaries). Color: (adaxial and abaxial             surfaces): Predominantly 1D except narrow elongated triangle             143C at base and extending to midpoint of phyllary. Surface             texture: Waxy, glabrous. Appearance: Translucent. Apex:             Rounded. Base: Truncate. Margin: Entire. -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Stamens.—5 in number, fused into tube around style.         -   Stamen length.—5 mm to 6 mm.         -   Stamen color.—166A.         -   Anther.—Connate.         -   Anther color.—23A.         -   Pollen.—Present, large amount.         -   Pollen color.—N163D.         -   Pistil.—One present.         -   Pistil length.—11 mm in length.         -   Stigma form.—Bifid, decurrent.         -   Stigma dimensions.—3 mm in length and 4.50 mm in width             (distance between the two apices).         -   Stigma color.—13B.         -   Ovary position.—Inferior.         -   Ovary color.—150D.         -   Ovary shape.—Rotund.         -   Ovary dimensions.—2 mm in width and 3 mm in height. -   Seed: No seed observed to date.

COMPARISON TO COMMERCIAL VARIETIES

The varieties of Dahlia which are considered to most closely resemble ‘Peach Flamingo’ are Dahlia ‘Penelope’ (unpatented) and Dahlia ‘Park Record’ (unpatented). Whereas the predominant flower color of ‘Peach Flamingo’ is peach, the flowers of ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ are yellow with a pink edge, and dark orange respectively. Whereas the natural un-pinched height of ‘Peach Flamingo’ is 40 cm to 50 cm, plants of ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ are naturally taller at 70 cm and 60 cm respectively. Finally, whereas the stems of ‘Peach Flamingo’ are dark green in color, the stems of ‘Penelope’ and ‘Park Record’ are black in color. 

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dahlia plant named ‘Peach Flamingo’ as described and illustrated herein. 